BIATRIAL APPROACH TO CARDIAC MYXOMAS - A 30-YEAR CLINICAL-EXPERIENCE

Early surgical intervention for atrial myxomas mitigates morbidity and usually offers cure. The operative approach to resect these tumors is controversial. The purpose of this study was to review our experience with the biatrial approach between 1964 and 1994. The location of the myxoma was left atrium in 17 and right atrium in 3. Mean preoperative New York Heart Association functional classification was 2.7. Surgica l approach to the tumor was biatrial in all patients. There were no pe rioperative strokes, myocardial infarctions, or deaths. Mean follow-up was 7.5 years (range, 2 mo to 27 years) with a postoperative New York Heart Association functional classification of 1.4. One late death oc curred, which was unrelated to the myoxma. Advantages of biatrial appr oach include (1) definition of tumor pedicle by direct visualization, (2) minimal manipulation of the tumor, (3) adequate margins of excisio n, (4) inspection of all heart chambers, and (5) secure closure of the atrial septal defect. Long-term follow-up demonstrates the efficacy o f this operative approach to atrial myxomas.